Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
Online ISSN : 1347-7439
Print ISSN : 0916-7250
ISSN-L : 0916-7250
Volume 78, Issue 9
September
Displaying 1-24 of 24 articles from this issue
Avian Pathology
  • Tugsbaatar BAATARTSOGT, Vuong N. BUI, Dai Q. TRINH, Emi YAMAGUCHI, Dul ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1405-1411
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 19, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Viral neuraminidase inhibitors are widely used as synthetic anti-influenza drugs for the prevention and treatment of influenza. However, drug-resistant influenza A virus variants, including H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), have been reported. Therefore, the discovery of novel and effective antiviral agents is warranted. We screened the antiviral effects of 11 herbal tea extracts (hibiscus, black tea, tencha, rosehip tea, burdock tea, green tea, jasmine tea, ginger tea, lavender tea, rose tea and oak tea) against the H5N1 HPAIV in vitro. Among the tested extracts, only the hibiscus extract and its fractionated extract (frHibis) highly and rapidly reduced the titers of all H5 HPAIVs and low pathogenic AIVs (LPAIVs) used in the pre-treatment tests of Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells that were inoculated with a mixture of the virus and the extract. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that anti-H5 monoclonal antibodies could not bind to the deformed H5 virus particles pretreated with frHibis. In post-treatment tests of MDCK cells cultured in the presence of frHibis after infection with H5N1 HPAIV, the frHibis inhibited viral replication and the expression of viral antigens and genes. Among the plants tested, hibiscus showed the most prominent antiviral effects against both H5 HPAIV and LPAIV.

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Bacteriology
  • Lanlan BAI, Shiaki TAKAGI, Tasuke ANDO, Hiroshi YONEYAMA, Kumiko ITO, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1439-1445
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 28, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the major polyphenolic compound of green tea. Polyphenolic compounds were extracted from the leaf of Camellia sinensis (Japanese green tea), and the minimum inhibitory concentration against canine oral bacteria was measured. Subsequently, we investigated the inhibitory effects of polyphenolic compounds and EGCG on the growth of canine oral bacteria. EGCG showed antimicrobial activity against a model bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Our results indicate that EGCG can inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans and that EGCG does not interact with streptococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Furthermore, our findings suggest that EGCG interacts with other component(s) of the bacterial membrane aside from streptococcal LTA to inhibit biofilm formation and damage biofilms.

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  • Kazue OHISHI, Takeharu BANDO, Erika ABE, Yasushi KAWAI, Yoshihiro FUJI ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1457-1464
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    In a long-term, large-scale serologic study in the western North Pacific Ocean, anti-Brucella antibodies were detected in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the 1994–2010 offshore surveys (21%, 285/1353) and in the 2006–2010 Japanese coastal surveys (20%, 86/436), in Bryde’s whales (B. edeni brydei) in the 2000–2010 offshore surveys (9%, 49/542), in sei whales (B. borealis) in the 2002–2010 offshore surveys (5%, 40/788) and in sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the 2000–2010 offshore surveys (8%, 4/50). Anti-Brucella antibodies were not detected in 739 Antarctic minke whales (B. bonaerensis) in the 2000–2010 Antarctic surveys. This suggests that Brucella was present in the four large whale populations inhabiting the western North Pacific, but not in the Antarctic minke whale population. By PCR targeting for genes of outer membrane protein 2, the Brucella infection was confirmed in tissue DNA samples from Bryde’s whales (14%, 2/14), sei whales (11%, 1/9) and sperm whales (50%, 2/4). A placental tissue and an apparently healthy fetus from a sperm whale were found to be PCR-positive, indicating that placental transmission might have occurred and the newborn could act as a bacterial reservoir. Marked granulomatous testes were observed only in mature animals of the three species of baleen whales in the western North Pacific offshore surveys, especially in common minke whales, and 29% (307/1064) of total mature males had abnormal testes. This study provides an insight into the status of marine Brucella infection at a global level.

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  • Hong-Tae PARK, Min-Kyoung SHIN, Hyun-Eui PARK, Yong-Il CHO, Han Sang Y ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1537-1540
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 10, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of bovine paratuberculosis (PTB). The first step in the control of PTB is the identification and isolation of sub-clinical fecal shedders from the herd. In the current study, real-time and nested PCR targeting MAP-specific genetic elements (IS900 and ISMAP02) DNA isolated from fecal samples were used to detect MAP infection in cattle. Of the 1,562 fecal samples obtained from 37 herds, regardless of diarrhea, 35 samples tested positive in both IS900-targeted real-time and ISMAP02-targeted nested PCR. At the herd level, 12 of the 37 herds were found to be positive for MAP. Detection rates of the PCR tests were similar to those reported for ELISA-based methods. These results suggest that PCR can be used to detect sub-clinical fecal shedders of MAP.

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Clinical Pathology
  • Kazuaki SATO, Yuko MIHARA, Kazutaka KANAI, Yohei YAMASHITA, Yuya KIMUR ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1429-1438
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 26, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of tyrosol (Tyr) on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. EIU was induced in male Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tyr (10, 50 or 100 mg/kg) was intravenously injected 2 hr before, simultaneously and 2 hr after LPS injection. The aqueous humor (AqH) was collected 24 hr after LPS injection; the infiltrating cell number, protein concentration, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, prostaglandin (PG)-E2 and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined. Histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical studies for nuclear factor (NF)-κB, inhibitor of κB (IκB)-α, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the iris–ciliary body (ICB) were performed at 3 or 24 hr after LPS injection. To further clarify the anti-inflammatory effects, RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of Tyr. Tyr reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the infiltrating cell number, protein concentration, and TNF-α, PGE2 and NO levels in AqH and improved histopathologic scores of EIU. Tyr also inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression, IκB-α degradation and nuclear translocation of activated NF-κB in ICB. Tyr significantly suppressed inflammatory mediator production in the culture medium and COX-2 and iNOS expression and activated NF-κB translocation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that Tyr suppresses ocular inflammation of EIU by inhibiting NF-κB activation and subsequent proinflammatory mediator production.

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Immunology
  • Yoshio KIKU, Yuya NAGASAWA, Fuyuko TANABE, Kazue SUGAWARA, Atsushi WAT ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1505-1510
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 20, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a major cause of bovine mastitis, but its pathogenic mechanism remains poorly understood. To evaluate the role of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in the immune or inflammatory response of SA mastitis, we investigated the gene expression profile in bovine mammary epithelial cells stimulated with LTA alone or with formalin-killed SA (FKSA) using cap analysis of gene expression. Seven common differentially expressed genes related to immune or inflammatory mediators were up-regulated under both LTA and FKSA stimulations. Three of these genes encode chemokines (IL-8, CXCL6 and CCL2) functioning as chemoattractant molecules for neutrophils and macrophages. These results suggest that the initial inflammatory response of SA infection in mammary gland may be related with LTA induced chemokine genes.

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Internal Medicine
  • Mona UCHIDA, Kohei SAEKI, Shingo MAEDA, Satoshi TAMAHARA, Tomohiro YON ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1515-1520
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 30, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) is initially reported to protect macrophages from apoptosis. In this study, we determined the effect of AIM on the macrophage-derived tumor, histiocytic sarcoma cell lines (HS) of dogs. Five HS and five other tumor cell lines were used. When recombinant canine AIM was applied to non-serum culture media, cell numbers of all the HS and two of other tumor cell lines decreased dose-dependently. The DNA fragmentation, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry tests revealed that AIM induced both of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the HS. Although AIM is known as an apoptosis inhibitor, these results suggest that a high dose of AIM could have an opposite function in HS and some tumor cell lines.

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  • Mika YAMAZAKI, Mai INOUE, Katsuaki SUGIURA
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1521-1524
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 03, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Data from 48,187 cats insured between April 2012 and March 2013 were analyzed using logistic regression analysis to determine the association of age, breed and sex with the occurrence of urinary disorders. The overall annual prevalence of urinary disorders was 12.2%. Using crossbreeds as the reference breed, Abyssinian cats had the highest odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.20–1.63), followed by Norwegian Forest Cats and Somalis. Male cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.27 (1.20–1.35) over female cats. Older cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders than young cats.

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Laboratory Animal Science
  • Iza Nurzawani Che ISA, Sulaiman Md DOM
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1399-1403
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 21, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Elevated temperatures can induce changes in red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) counts. Ultrasound heating during obstetric scans has the potential to increase body temperature owing to the phenomenon of absorption. We conducted a study to determine the thermal effects of prenatal ultrasound on RBCs, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), WBCs and PLTs in young rabbits. We selected 69 rabbits that were 1 month of age and 73 that were 5 months of age, and allocated them to four groups. The control group consisted of four pregnant does that were allowed to have a full term delivery without any ultrasound exposure. The experimental groups were subjected to one-time ultrasound exposure for 30, 60 and 90 min in the middle of each gestational stage accordingly. RBCs and Hb showed significant reductions in the experimental groups of 1- and 5-month-old rabbits (P<0.05). In addition, WBCs and PLTs yielded significant differences in the 1-month group that were not observed in the 5-month group (P>0.05). The highest values recorded were those of the WBCs of 1-month-old subjects that received 90 min of exposure at the second stage of gestation. The PLTs were the lowest values recorded in 1-month-old subjects following 90 min of ultrasound exposure at the third stage of gestation. These findings suggest that hematological fluctuations during the early stages of postnatal life persisted until 1 month of age and recovered thereafter, as the subjects progressed into adulthood. Therefore, ultrasound heating can cause significant, yet reversible effects on the hematological parameters of rabbits.

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  • Kiyoma MARUSUGI, Kenta NAKANO, Hayato SASAKI, Junpei KIMURA, Rieko YAN ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1413-1420
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 30, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Podocytes are terminally differentiated and highly specialized cells in the glomerulus, and they form a crucial component of the glomerular filtration barrier. The ICGN mouse is a model of glomerular dysfunction that shows gross morphological changes in the podocyte foot process, accompanied by proteinuria. Previously, we demonstrated that proteinuria in ICR-derived glomerulonephritis mouse ICGN mice might be caused by a deletion mutation in the tensin2 (Tns2) gene (designated Tns2nph). To test whether this mutation causes the mutant phenotype, we created knockout (KO) mice carrying a Tns2 protein deletion in the C-terminal Src homology and phosphotyrosine binding (SH2-PTB) domains (designated Tns2ΔC) via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Tns2nph/Tns2ΔC compound heterozygotes and Tns2ΔC/Tns2ΔC homozygous KO mice displayed podocyte abnormalities and massive proteinuria similar to ICGN mice, indicating that these two mutations are allelic. Further, this result suggests that the SH2-PTB domain of Tns2 is required for podocyte integrity. Tns2 knockdown in a mouse podocyte cell line significantly enhanced actin stress fiber formation and cell migration. Thus, this study provides evidence that alteration of actin remodeling resulting from Tns2 deficiency causes morphological changes in podocytes and subsequent proteinuria.

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Parasitology
  • Kei HAYASHI, Uday K. MOHANTA, Tambireddy NEERAJA, Tadashi ITAGAKI
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1529-1532
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 11, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The aim of this study was to phylogenetically analyze Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica) from mainland India and to reveal the expansion history of F. gigantica in the Indian subcontinent. We analyzed 40 Fasciola flukes that were collected from Delhi, in the Indian mainland, and identified them as F. gigantica by using nucleotide analyses of the nuclear phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) and DNA polymerase delta (pold) genes. Based on the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene, the flukes had 18 haplotypes. The haplotypes were classified under haplogroup A, which is predominant in the F. gigantica of South Asia. The population genetics of haplogroup A revealed that Delhi population showed higher π value than eastern India population. These results suggest that F. gigantica of haplogroup A might have spread from the west to the east in India along with the artificial migration of the domestic Zebu cattle, Bos indicus.

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Pathology
  • Alejandro PEREZ-ECIJA, Francisco Javier MENDOZA, José Carlos ESTEPA, M ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1511-1513
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 03, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    A 2-month-old foal with septic shock and severe respiratory distress was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Due to poor prognosis, the foal was euthanized. Histopathology showed lesions suggestive of Rhodococcus equi infection associated with a diffuse interstitial infiltrate of foamy macrophages and syncytial cells presenting large acidophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies, fibrin exudates and hyaline membranes. Bacteriological examination from lung and respiratory exudates confirmed R. equi infection, whilst immunohistochemistry and PCR yielded a positive result for Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). Several etiologies have been proposed for bronchointerstitial pneumonia in foals, although a multifactorial origin for this lesional pattern could be possible. This work is the first one describing a combined EHV-1 and R. equi infection in a foal affected with bronchointerstitial pneumonia.

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  • Chun-Ho PARK, Chikage NAKAJIMA, Kazunori KIMITSUKI, Nozomi SHIWA, Yasu ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1525-1528
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 04, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material

    An 11-year-old castrated male rabbit presented with a subcutaneous mass in the right hind limb. The mass comprised solid and myxoid areas. Solid areas were characterized by a storiform or interlacing pattern of spindle cells, strap cells, multinucleated giant cells and round cells with eccentrically located nuclei, whereas the myxoid areas were composed predominantly of elongated fusiform cells with hyperchromatic nuclei embedded in Alcian Blue-positive myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells in both areas were positive for desmin and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells in the solid areas had abundant myofilaments with electron dense Z-band structures. Based on these pathological findings, this case was diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcoma in a rabbit.

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Pharmacology
  • Akiyo SAWAGUCHI, Kazuaki SASAKI, Keisuke MIYANAGA, Mitsuhiro NAKAYAMA, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1481-1485
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The oral pharmacokinetics of diclofenac (DF) were evaluated in cattle by analyzing plasma concentration-time data after its intravenous and oral administration in order to propose the oral administration of DF as effective route to avoid long withdraw period. DF was intravenously and orally administered at 1 mg/kg to cattle using a crossover design with a 4-week washout period. Plasma concentrations of DF were determined by a HPLC analysis. The mean absorption time (MAT) and absorption half-life (t1/2ka) were 1.61 ± 0.61 and 1.51 ± 0.38 hr, respectively, and bioavailability was nearly 100%. The oral pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen (AAP) were also evaluated in cattle. Plasma concentrations of AAP were determined by a HPLC analysis. MAT and t1/2ka were 2.85 ± 0.93 and 1.53 ± 0.28 hr, respectively, and bioavailability was approximately 70%. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that DF and AAP are rapidly absorbed from the forestomach of cattle. Therefore, the appropriate efficacies of these drugs may be achieved via their oral administration, even in cattle.

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  • Yi ZOU, Hong Kui WEI, Quan-Hang XIANG, Jun WANG, Yuan-Fei ZHOU, Jian P ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1487-1494
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 12, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of quercetin supplementation on intestinal integrity, intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and intestinal inflammation in pigs under transport stress. A total of 170 finishing pigs were randomly assigned into two groups. Animals in the control group consumed a basal diet, while those in the treatment group consumed the same diet supplemented with 25 mg quercetin per kg feed. After a 4-week period, pigs were transported for 5 hr. The quercetin-supplemented pigs showed decreased serum levels of endotoxin (P<0.05), increased height of jejunum villi (P<0.05), and increased occludin and zonula occudens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA expression in the jejunum (P<0.05). These parameters are associated with intestinal health and were markedly improved by quercetin supplementation. Pigs consuming the quercetin-supplemented diet had lower intestinal levels of ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared with the control group (P<0.05). This finding coincided with greater inhibition of the innate immune system (P<0.05), including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways, as well as decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the jejunum. These results indicate that quercetin alleviates intestinal injury in pigs during transport, probably through modulation of intestinal oxidative status and inflammation.

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Public Health
  • Duangjai SUWANCHAROEN, Supaluck LIMLERTVATEE, Philaiphon CHETIYAWAN, P ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1495-1500
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 13, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Leptospirosis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis which has long been endemic in Thailand. Cattle and buffaloes are important livestock species that live in close contact with humans, especially in rural areas. These animals may, therefore, act as long-term carriers of leptospirosis for humans and other livestock species. The present study employed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to detect pathogenic leptospiral 16S rDNA in the urine of cattle and buffaloes for assessing associations between uroprevalence and species, sex, age and spatial distribution. A total of 3,657 urine samples were collected for laboratory diagnosis, and 312 of which turned positive to the test (true prevalence 5.90%; 95% CI 4.98–6.91). The highest true uroprevalence was found in lower northern region at 19.80% (95% CI 15.83–24.32) followed by upper and lower northeastern regions at 15.22% and 6.25%, respectively. However, the highest true uroprevalence in beef cattle, the majority of cattle in Thailand, was recorded in northeastern region which is the endemic area of human leptospirosis. The uroprevalence was not statistically different among species and types of examined animals. Male animals were over twice more likely to be infected compared to females. Excluding animals younger than one year of age due to small sample size, the uroprevalence upraised with increasing age. A collaborative investigation between veterinary and public health sectors is required to holistically explore the link between leptospirosis in humans and livestock, especially in high prevalent areas.

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Surgery
  • Jiasan ZHENG, Lingwei SUN, Shi SHU, Kuiling ZHU, Chuang XU, Junsong WA ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1421-1428
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 18, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Footrot is a debilitating and contagious disease in dairy cows, caused by the Gram-negative anaerobe Dichelobacter nodosus. 1H-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance)-based metabolomics has been previously used to understand the pathology and etiology of several diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize serum from dairy cows with footrot (n=10) using 1H-NMR-based metabolomics and chemometric analyses. 1H-NMR spectroscopy with multivariate pattern recognition (principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis) was performed to identify biomarkers in cows with footrot (F) and healthy controls (C). 1H-NMR analysis facilitated the identification of 21 metabolites. Among these metabolites, 4 metabolites were higher and 17 metabolites were lower in the F group than in the C group. The serum levels of 5 metabolites were significantly different (P<0.05) between the two groups. The results revealed that cows with footrot have altered carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid and energy metabolic pathways. Metabolomic approaches are a clinically useful diagnostic tool for understanding the biochemical alterations and mechanisms of several diseases.

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  • Omer BESALTI, Zeynep AKTAS, Pinar CAN, Eylul AKPINAR, Ayse Eser ELCIN, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1465-1473
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 10, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of percutaneous transplanted autologous neurogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to external spinal trauma. Thirteen client owned dogs that had failed in improvement neurologically at least 42 days after conservative management, decompression and decompression-stabilization were included in the study. Each dog received two doses of autologous 5.0 × 106 NIBM-MSCs suspension, which were positive to 2′,3′-Cyclic-nucleotide-3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), as well as to Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and beta III tubulin. The cells were injected into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy or laminectomy defects percutaneously with 21 days interval for 2 times. The results were evaluated using Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale (TSCIS), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) at the admission time, cell transplantation procedures and during 2, 5, 7 and 12th months after the second cell transplantation. Improvement after cell transplantation in gait, nociception, proprioception, SEP and MEP results was observed in just 2 cases, and only gait score improvement was seen in 6 cases, and no improvement was recorded in 5 cases. All progresses were observed until 2nd month after the second cell transplantation, however, there was no improvement after this period. In conclusion, percutaneous transplantation of autologous NIBM-MSCs is a promising candidate modality for cases with spinal cord injury after spinal trauma and poor prognosis.

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  • Fumiaki MIZOBE, Jun OKADA, Yuta SHINZAKI, Motoi NOMURA, Tomohiro KATO, ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1475-1480
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 16, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Desmitis of the oblique distal sesamoidean ligaments (ODSL) is caused by hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint and has been described as a significant cause of lameness in racehorses. In this study, three Thoroughbred racehorses (age range: 3–6 years) were diagnosed with desmitis of the forelimb ODSL using standing low-field magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). Radiography and ultrasonography were inconclusive with regard to a definitive diagnosis. For all horses, the sMRI characteristics included increased signal intensity within the medial ODSL on T1-weighted gradient echo, T2-weighted fast spin echo and short tau inversion recovery fast spin echo images, which use a fat suppression technique. Effusion of the digital flexor tendon sheath was also clearly visible on sMRI. Following rest and controlled exercise for roughly 3 months, two horses successfully returned to racing within 5 months. Our findings support the use of sMRI for diagnosing ODSL injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses.

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Theriogenology
  • Mizuho UEMATSU, Go KITAHARA, Hiroshi SAMESHIMA, Takeshi OSAWA
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1501-1504
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 16, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Stillbirth and dystocia are major factors that negatively affect beef production. We sought to clarify serum selenium and liposoluble vitamin levels in Japanese Black cows that gave birth to stillborn calves (stillbirth cows). Blood samples were collected from 103 stillbirth cows and 95 cows that gave birth to healthy calves (control cows). Serum levels of selenium (45.8 ± 16.0 ng/ml) and vitamin A (73.0 ± 24.8 IU/dl) in stillbirth cows were lower (P<0.05) than those in control cows (52.2 ± 8.9 ng/ml and 93.3 ± 14.8 IU/dl, respectively). Our findings suggest that appropriate serum selenium and vitamin A levels are important for calving cows.

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Virology
  • Itsuro YAMANE, Hisanori YAMAZAKI, Sayoko ISHIZEKI, Yugo WATANABE, Hana ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1385-1389
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 12, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The objective was to investigate porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) outbreak that occurred in 2014 in Japan and its effects on herd-level productivity using a data recording system (PigINFO). The study herds were selected from farrow-to-finish herds (n=99) that entered in the PigINFO system between July 2013 and March 2015. From 1 April to 30 June 2014 (PED epidemic), any herds with clinical signs of PED and feces positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) on polymerase chain reaction analysis and/or immunohistochemical staining were defined as PED-positive (n=38). They were further classified into those with long PED periods (L-PED-positive; n=28) and those with short PED periods (S-PED-positive; n=10). Herds with no clinical signs of PED were classified as PED-negative (n=61). Herd-level production data, including preweaning mortality (%; PRWM), postweaning mortality (%; POWM), pigs weaned per litter (PWL), pigs born alive per litter, litters per mated female per year and pigs marketed per sow (MP), were calculated every 3 months during study period. During the PED epidemic, L-PED-positive herds had significantly higher PRWM and POWM than PED-negative herds, and L-PED-positive and S-PED-positive herds had significantly lower PWL. During October–December 2014, L-PED-positive herds had significantly fewer MP than PED-negative herds. The PED outbreak increased mortality and consequently reduced the numbers of marketed pigs. The rapid control of an outbreak is important for reducing the financial losses arising from PED infections.

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  • Yukari ISHIHARA, Chieko SHIODA, Norasuthi BANGPHOOMI, Keita SUGIURA, K ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1391-1397
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: May 16, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    The biological function of a nonstructural protein, NSm, of Akabane virus (AKAV) is unknown. In this study, we generated a series of NSm deletion mutant viruses by reverse genetics and compared their phenotypes. The mutant in which the NSm coding region was almost completely deleted could not be rescued, suggesting that NSm plays a role in virus replication. We next generated mutant viruses possessing various partial deletions in NSm and identified several regions critical for virus infectivity. All rescued mutant viruses produced smaller plaques and grew inefficiently in cell culture, compared to the wild-type virus. Interestingly, although the pathogenicity of NSm deletion mutant viruses varied in mice depending on their deletion regions and sizes, more than half the mice died following infection with any mutant virus and the dead mice exhibited encephalitis as in wild-type virus-inoculated mice, indicating their neuroinvasiveness. Abundant viral antigens were detected in the brain tissues of dead mice, whereas appreciable antigen was not observed in those of surviving mice, suggesting a correlation between virus growth rate in the brain and neuropathogenicity in mice. We conclude that NSm affects AKAV replication in vitro as well as in vivo and that it may function as a virulence factor.

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  • Tomoyoshi DOKI, Tomomi TAKANO, Tsutomu HOHDATSU
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1447-1455
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 04, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Supplementary material

    Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal inflammatory disease caused by FIP virus infection. Feline tumor necrosis factor (fTNF)-alpha is closely involved in the aggravation of FIP pathology. We previously described the preparation of neutralizing mouse anti-fTNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (mAb 2–4) and clarified its role in the clinical condition of cats with FIP using in vitro systems. However, administration of mouse mAb 2–4 to cat may lead to a production of feline anti-mouse antibodies. In the present study, we prepared a mouse-feline chimeric mAb (chimeric mAb 2–4) by fusing the variable region of mouse mAb 2–4 to the constant region of feline antibody. The chimeric mAb 2–4 was confirmed to have fTNF-alpha neutralization activity. Purified mouse mAb 2–4 and chimeric mAb 2–4 were repeatedly administered to cats, and the changes in the ability to induce feline anti-mouse antibody response were investigated. In the serum of cats treated with mouse mAb 2–4, feline anti-mouse antibody production was induced, and the fTNF-alpha neutralization effect of mouse mAb 2–4 was reduced. In contrast, in cats treated with chimeric mAb 2–4, the feline anti-mouse antibody response was decreased compared to that of mouse mAb 2–4-treated cats.

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  • Kwang-Soo LYOO, Jong-Young CHOI, Tae-Wook HAHN, Kun Taek PARK, Hye Kwo ...
    2016 Volume 78 Issue 9 Pages 1533-1536
    Published: 2016
    Released on J-STAGE: October 01, 2016
    Advance online publication: June 06, 2016
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

    Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused significant economic losses to the global swine industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial PRRSV modified live virus (MLV) vaccine in conventionally reared growing/finishing pigs. Four barns were designated for groups A, B, C and D in the growing-to-finishing site. All pigs of the A barn were vaccinated with a commercial PRRSV MLV vaccine, whereas pigs of the B, C or D barn as control groups were unvaccinated. Twenty pigs randomly selected and tagged from each barn were serially bled at 0, 20, 40 and 60 day-post-vaccination, and tested for serological response with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Body weights were measured to calculate the average-daily-weight gain (ADG). Serological assays indicated that the seropositivity of the PRRSV-vaccinated group was higher than that of the unvaccinated groups at 40 day-post-vaccination. ADG of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B and C, and the mean weights of groups A, B, C and D were 0.82 ± 0.017, 0.76 ± 0.016, 0.74 ± 0.019 and 0.81 ± 0.018 kg, respectively. In conclusion, the present study reports the serological responses and growth performance parameters by the PRRSV MLV vaccine in growing/finishing pigs under field conditions.

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